Dental crowns are fixed prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or implants to cover over a tooth that is badly damaged or decayed. In addition to strengthening a damaged tooth, crowns can be used to improve a tooth’s appearance, shape, alignment and dental occlusion. Therefore, they play an important role in dental healthcare. 

Dental crowns last from 5 to 30 years, sometimes longer, depending on their materials, techniques and maintenance. Normally, dental crowns last 8 to 10 years. After 10 years, even you do not feel any discomfort, you should go to see your dentist for an overall checkup because your dental crowns might have some unnoticeable problems.

Then how to ensure longevity of dental crowns? You should keep in mind of the following aspects:

1. To prevent damage to your new crown, avoid chewing hard and sticky foods, especially at the beginning of wearing crowns. Hard and sticky foods can overload the pressure on dental crowns when chewing. You are recommended to have more fruit, vegetables and fiber than meat for good oral and general health. 

2. Keep your gums and teeth healthy by brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing daily. Brush your teeth is not enough for food can become trapped underneath where it's difficult to remove. Dentists recommend carrying floss under the crowns, removing the trapped food.

3. See your dentist or hygienist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings. It is very important to do checkups which can find any problem of your crown at the early time.

The lifespan of a crown is not certain and it depends a lot on patients’ maintenance. Therefore, take good care of your crowns is important to ensure the crowns’ longevity.